Andy Warhol Flower or Corporate Sponsorship for Tacoma Dome?

Once upon a time Andy Warhol submitted a design proposal to decorate the Tacoma Dome with a giant flower. Tacoma turned him down, and went with the neon you see now on the inside of the Dome. The idea of putting the Warhol flower on the Dome still appeals to quite a few Tacomans, particularly the arts community. Now the Warhol flower is going head-to-head with plans to maximize the revenue generated by the Dome.

A staff memo gives an overview of the conversation ahead of an informal briefing on the Tacoma Dome planned for next Tuesday's Economic Development Committee meeting.

The memo describes a "desire in the community" to see the Warhol plan happen. Apparently the arts community has expressed interest in fundraising to put the flower on the Dome, and the Tacoma Arts Commission has requested formal support from the City for the project.

Tacoma's Public Assemblies Facilities Department, on the other hand, has been tasked with lining up corporate sponsorship and/or naming rights to generate revenue for the City.

The two, apparently, are in conflict.

A study earlier this year looked at what the City might charge for naming rights to the Dome, and came up with a range of $450,000 to $670,000. The study also advised against the installation of roof art to preserve the "blank canvas" of the Dome while the City searches for a sponsor.

Aside from the potential conflict with a corporate sponsor, the project of getting the Warhol flower on the Dome faces a number of other obstacles. The City would need permission from the Warhol Foundation to use the image. Then there's the question of covering the cost of installation (estimated at $2.16 to $2.19 million) and maintenance ($150,000 a year for cleaning, plus other ongoing maintenance). And there's the issue of the technical details. To put the Warhol image on the Dome, it would be printed on an "adhesive film" and applied to the structure. What isn't known is what effect the adhesive would have on the structure, or how it would do in all seasons.

A kind of compromise is being proposed, in which both paths - the Warhol flower and the search for a corporate sponsor - would go ahead. A small test section of the materials would be applied to the Dome for a minimum of two seasons to see how it does in various weather conditions. That would cost $900, which could be covered out of Dome operating funds. Meanwhile, efforts to secure a corporate sponsor for the would also move forward. Once the test period is complete and staff has had the chance to determine corporate interest in sponsorship, the Council could revisit the idea.

We've also heard the idea floated of painting the Dome like a giant golf ball in honor of the US Open... What do you think? Flower? Golf ball? ... or [un-named corporate sponsor] logo?

Do you want to help the folks at Exit133 pay our bills and keep up with of all things Tacoma? Do you want to see even more coverage? Exit133 has always been free to read and comment, and it will stay that way. However, over the years, readers have contributed to the bank account to help us keep up our coverage of goings-on around town. Contribute and this message disappears!

JDHasty

Notice how the photograph used is of the Dome prior to the parking lot being given away? That wasn’t an oversight. And, before anyone comes back and says that the photograph they had available was pre- and bla, bla, bla. Better check Google Earth before typing.

Dan

If there is a fund raising campaign to install the flower, I’d like the campaign to buy the naming rights at the same time. This structure was originally financed by the citizens of Tacoma. In honor of the citizens, it should bear the name of our community in perpetuity. That would make it unique among public arenas, but it is, and should remain, uniquely Tacoman. Didn’t the Cheney family do the same thing (buy up name rights) when Cheney Stadium was renovated? The flower will most likely cost in the millions. Might as well go for and extra $500,000 while we’re at it.

One could make the claim, “Art is Timeless,” and therefore Warhol’s 1982 flower art is as relevant now as ever. But I’d like to put forth that the tools and materials used to produce art do change with time.

Closer to the point, we could never reproduce Warhol’s flower on the Tacoma Dome because in 1982 no final plans were developed for production technique according to Warhol’s studio direction. We have no authoritative reference guide.

We could reproduce Warhol’s 1982 flower art on the Tacoma Dome as a simulation. The method of production that comes to my mind involves contemporary tools and materials. There are now companies with the capability to reproduce large format graphics, to shrink fit on cars or cover the face of a 10-story building, and which last and resist fading for 5-7 years. I’m not claiming that this medium would work on a roof, but if it did then such a reproduction of Warhol’s flower art might offer an interesting modern interpretation.

Gerry Sperry

As the original and oldest advocate for placing or projecting the always timeless and relevant image of earth on the dome, (a concept entitled eARTh: The Tacoma Home Dome, 1982), I’m well aware of improvements in materials and optical technology that makes imaging the dome more practical. I believe Tacoma’s commitment to art and the environment is more comprehensive with an image of our imperiled planet. Warhol’s ‘Daisy Dome’, an abstract flower that belies both the form and function of the domes semi-spherical design, is predicated and advocated mostly on the “name” of the artist. A living image of the planet on the dome would draw a greater cross-section of people from all over the world and would be an outstanding and original promotion for Tacoma and it’s values. In any event, allow the merits of my alternative to Warhol be debated and considered in an open discussion rather than through the willful ignorance suppression of ideas that is a hallmark of the present arts administration with respect to this matter. In short, Please don’t censor my idea any more.

Laura Marlow

For over 30 years there’s been a wonderful idea for the top of the Tacoma Dome, designed by a local artist, Gerry Sperry, born and raised in Tacoma. It is nothing less than the image of the whole Earth and I think this is an extraordinary proposal, timely in every way. I believe it has far more potential for Tacoma than the tired old Warhol flower. To focus on Earth Day events where exhibits and people from all over the world can come together exploring ways to save our endangered planet with the latest ideas and technology would be just the beginning. The possibilities are endless. We are now at a critical junction on our good Earth, as we endeavor to reclaim, restore, and enhance the natural environment, and this will provide a center for all creative people to come together to find ways to solve our world’s most pressing problems.